How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**rs74** · 02-15-2013, 07:14 PM

Do I just have to take the outer nuts off the control arm shafts and pull the old ones out and put the new ones in. Do they need pressed in? If this is something fairly simple to do then I can save myself about $300.

LONGHAIR · 02-15-2013, 10:18 PM

They are press fit. The control arms need to be removed from the truck to press them out and back in.

**rs74** · 02-15-2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

They are press fit. The control arms need to be removed from the truck to press them out and back in.

When I take them off should the control arm shaft come out fairly easy in order to get to the bushings? I have access to a press so I am halfway there. I hope.

mrolds88 · 02-16-2013, 12:43 AM

Watch the springs. They can come out in a hurry!! Use a chain to limit their travel. Its a safety thing.

**rs74** · 02-16-2013, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrolds88

Watch the springs. They can come out in a hurry!! Use a chain to limit their travel. Its a safety thing.

Yeah they can put the hurt on you in a hurry. I have spring compressors that I can use but not sure that I will need them. I am going to be changing the bushings out after the control arms are off the truck.

1981Stepside · 02-16-2013, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs74

When I take them off should the control arm shaft come out fairly easy in order to get to the bushings? I have access to a press so I am halfway there. I hope.

One of the bushings has to come out first before the control arm shaft will come loose. Beat them out with a hammer and chisel, or burn them out with a torch and knock out the sleeves

kustomrust82 · 02-16-2013, 10:07 AM

yep torch the rubber, air chisel the sleeves out. its kinda a pain in the ass lol you can press them out but you need to be careful you bend the arms up cause there not boxed in.

S10Fan · 02-16-2013, 11:27 AM

I've always burned them out and used an air chisel or cut the remaining sleeves with a sawzall then knock them out.

northeimcustom · 02-16-2013, 11:53 AM

never done it. doesnt sound the worst, but doesnt sound like much fun either....

Big Dawgs 86 · 02-18-2013, 06:02 AM

Hey bro I am looking to replace my bushings and ball joints up front on my 86 stepside.. Where would be a good place to order this stuff at or where did u get your bushings at..
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**rs74** · 02-18-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dawgs 86

Hey bro I am looking to replace my bushings and ball joints up front on my 86 stepside.. Where would be a good place to order this stuff at or where did u get your bushings at..
Posted via Mobile Device

I ordered all MOOG part and got them from Summit racing. They have the best prices and I only paid $12.95 for shipping. That was for my lowering kit, all front suspension related parts, and all the steering components as well. I ended up get the upper and lower control shaft kits though. Knew shafts and all. The upper kit I had to get through O'rielly's and the lower kit I had to go through JC Whitney. The upper shaft has an offset in it and will help with your truck if it is lowered. If you just want the bushings then I think Summit had them also. It was almost a one stop shop for me.

Big Dawgs 86 · 02-18-2013, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs74

I ordered all MOOG part and got them from Summit racing. They have the best prices and I only paid $12.95 for shipping. That was for my lowering kit, all front suspension related parts, and all the steering components as well. I ended up get the upper and lower control shaft kits though. Knew shafts and all. The upper kit I had to get through O'rielly's and the lower kit I had to go through JC Whitney. The upper shaft has an offset in it and will help with your truck if it is lowered. If you just want the bushings then I think Summit had them also. It was almost a one stop shop for me.

Thanks for the info bro..
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**rs74** · 02-18-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dawgs 86

Thanks for the info bro..
Posted via Mobile Device

No problem. Glad I could help instead of needing help.

1977cheyenne_C10 · 02-18-2013, 08:37 PM

I heard a while ago that some place called RockAutos has the cheapest prices on Moog parts idk if its true

87r10owner · 02-18-2013, 10:19 PM

yea the bushings have to be pressed in and you need to becareful not to colapse the control arms when you are doing it. there are many ways to get them out and in but the easiest is the press. Just got done doing all of mine and just finnished putting the front end together. im currently doing my leaf spring/shackle bushings and installing my flip kit. I paid $25 an arm to have mine done after trying to do my own but its one of those things thats better to just bite the bullet!

**rs74** · 02-18-2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87r10owner

yea the bushings have to be pressed in and you need to becareful not to colapse the control arms when you are doing it. there are many ways to get them out and in but the easiest is the press. Just got done doing all of mine and just finnished putting the front end together. im currently doing my leaf spring/shackle bushings and installing my flip kit. I paid $25 an arm to have mine done after trying to do my own but its one of those things thats better to just bite the bullet!

I would do the $25 an arm after I get them off. I just didn't want to pay them the 3-4 hours at $75 an hour. I will take them off and try to get the bushings out myself and then see how the first bushing is to go in and then decide from there. I have never done it before but I will give it a shot. Most of my parts should be here tomorrow, except for the leaf spring bushings and lower control arm kits.

87r10owner · 02-18-2013, 11:34 PM

On the uppers you can use a gear puller and pull one side out, then knock the other out. The lowers are not as easy bc they are flush mounted. There are a lot of videos on you tube. But not very much info on ours with the cross shafts. You can rent a press for the uppers from any auto parts store to install the bushings( or an arbor press works well too). It's the lowers that suck bc of how they are shaped and people tend to crush/collapse/bend them. Just have patience
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87r10owner · 02-18-2013, 11:38 PM

Also loosen the cross shaft nuts before you remove the u-bolts, it will make things a lot easier! And when you re install them make sure you tighten the cross shaft nuts with the weight of the truck on the suspension.
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**rs74** · 02-18-2013, 11:38 PM

I guess the only question that I have left is when putting it back together. Am I supposed to put the shaft in and then install the bushings over the shaft and into the control arm. I don't think they can be installed and then put the shaft in right?

**rs74** · 02-18-2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87r10owner

Also loosen the cross shaft nuts before you remove the u-bolts, it will make things a lot easier! And when you re install them make sure you tighten the cross shaft nuts with the weight of the truck on the suspension.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks for the heads up. I would have never thought there would have been a difference. Any other tips for either upper or lower arms.

87r10owner · 02-19-2013, 07:31 AM

Just install one side and then the cross shaft then the other side will press in the control arm and onto the shaft. I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head but its still really early.
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68chvy · 03-02-2014, 03:56 PM

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02-15-2013, 07:14 PM	#1
rs74 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,957	How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. Do I just have to take the outer nuts off the control arm shafts and pull the old ones out and put the new ones in. Do they need pressed in? If this is something fairly simple to do then I can save myself about $300. __________________ Roy 85 Short Bed Silverado- Work in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=564818 1987 R10 shortie

02-16-2013, 12:43 AM	#4
mrolds88 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: WV Posts: 946	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. Watch the springs. They can come out in a hurry!! Use a chain to limit their travel. Its a safety thing.

02-16-2013, 10:07 AM	#7
kustomrust82 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 59	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. yep torch the rubber, air chisel the sleeves out. its kinda a pain in the ass lol you can press them out but you need to be careful you bend the arms up cause there not boxed in. __________________ '82 c10 shortbed drag truck '82 GMC 3500 Dually DD scrap truck '55 Chevy 210 4 door sled '65 VW Bug Rat Rod

02-16-2013, 11:27 AM	#8
S10Fan Old Heap Driver Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 2,642	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. I've always burned them out and used an air chisel or cut the remaining sleeves with a sawzall then knock them out. __________________ _____________________________ Bryan '99 Silverado 1500, 4.3, 5-speed, reg cab, short bed '50 Chevy 2DR Hard Top, 350/350, M2 Front End, 3:08 gear, cruiser. '40 F**d Sedan, all Chevy power, Heidt's front end, TCI rear, nice driver.

02-16-2013, 11:53 AM	#9
northeimcustom Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 291	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. never done it. doesnt sound the worst, but doesnt sound like much fun either....

02-18-2013, 06:02 AM	#10
Big Dawgs 86 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Posts: 46	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. Hey bro I am looking to replace my bushings and ball joints up front on my 86 stepside.. Where would be a good place to order this stuff at or where did u get your bushings at.. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Working on my 2001 Chevy 1500 4x4...

02-18-2013, 08:37 PM	#14
1977cheyenne_C10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Palmdale CA Posts: 303	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. I heard a while ago that some place called RockAutos has the cheapest prices on Moog parts idk if its true

02-18-2013, 10:19 PM	#15
87r10owner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Okc,ok Posts: 89	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. yea the bushings have to be pressed in and you need to becareful not to colapse the control arms when you are doing it. there are many ways to get them out and in but the easiest is the press. Just got done doing all of mine and just finnished putting the front end together. im currently doing my leaf spring/shackle bushings and installing my flip kit. I paid $25 an arm to have mine done after trying to do my own but its one of those things thats better to just bite the bullet! Attached Images

02-18-2013, 11:34 PM	#17
87r10owner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Okc,ok Posts: 89	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. On the uppers you can use a gear puller and pull one side out, then knock the other out. The lowers are not as easy bc they are flush mounted. There are a lot of videos on you tube. But not very much info on ours with the cross shafts. You can rent a press for the uppers from any auto parts store to install the bushings( or an arbor press works well too). It's the lowers that suck bc of how they are shaped and people tend to crush/collapse/bend them. Just have patience Posted via Mobile Device

02-18-2013, 11:38 PM	#18
87r10owner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Okc,ok Posts: 89	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. Also loosen the cross shaft nuts before you remove the u-bolts, it will make things a lot easier! And when you re install them make sure you tighten the cross shaft nuts with the weight of the truck on the suspension. Posted via Mobile Device

02-19-2013, 07:31 AM	#21
87r10owner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Okc,ok Posts: 89	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. Just install one side and then the cross shaft then the other side will press in the control arm and onto the shaft. I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head but its still really early. Posted via Mobile Device

03-02-2014, 03:56 PM	#22
68chvy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dallas Posts: 115	Re: How hard to change upper/lower control arm bushings. Please note that you must be a supporting member to post classified items. This includes but is not limited to What Its Worth, Want To Buy, Want To Trade, and For Sale. Please consider supporting the forum by subscribing. Further information on the subscription levels available are located here If you need any further assistance with that please contact any Admin for help.



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